College PlanningSeniorYearChecklist

Here is a basic checklist of items and benchmarks that your High School seniors should be doing. Many of these items are not mandatory, but some are and it’s critical to NOT miss any of the hard deadlines.

The Studemont GroupJohn M. McDonough

(832) 299-17700www.studemontgroup.com

Collage Planning Senior Year Checklist 1

September

Early September registration deadline for Oct. SAT www.collegeboard.com

Early September registration deadline for Oct. ACT www.act.org

ACT testing

Make sure your schedule meets your needs. Be sure all graduation requirements are met. Maintain a rigorous program through your senior year.

Make an appointment with your counselor to discuss your postsecondary plans. Become familiar with the application procedure.

Compile / fine tune your college lists to include reach, middles & safety schools.

Students applying for Early Decision should approach teachers for recommendations as soon as possible.

Student athletes should check with their counselor or coach about recruiting procedures.

Seek out scholarship information and apply as appropriate.

August

Welcome to your senior year of High School!

Early August registration deadline for Sept. ACT.

Collage Planning Senior Year Checklist 2

November

Early November registration deadline for Dec. SAT www.collegeboard.com

Early November registration deadline for Dec. ACT www.act.org

SAT and PLAN testing

Check with your teachers, coaches, and/or TA to ensure that letters of recommendation are sent on time.

Mail applications for colleges with “rolling” deadlines as soon as possible.

Keep polishing your essay.

Continue to attend meetings with college representations.

Check in with your counselor.

Remember; Colleges take senior grades seriously.

October

Early October registration deadline for Nov. SAT www.collegeboard.com

PSAT, SAT and ACT testing

Check out commonapp.org to see which colleges accept the common application.

Many colleges use data from CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE to provide nonfederal financial aid. Begin applying online at profileonline.collegeboard.com.

Finish a draft of your essay.

Ask teachers for recommendations. Have a resume to give teachers to help them out.

Heads up for Early Decision and Early Action deadlines – they usually fall on either.

Collage Planning Senior Year Checklist 3

January

Early January registration deadline for Feb. ACT www.act.org

SAT testing

Students admitted by Early Decision must withdraw applications to other schools. Deferred students should consider sending in additional letters of recommendation and other supple-mentary materials.

Start filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). File VSAC application. For more information, visit fafsa.ed.gov.

Talk to friends home from college on break.

Where possible, set up interviews with admissions officers or alumni interviewers.

Check in with your Counselor.

December

Early December registration deadline for Jan. SAT www.collegeboard.com

SAT and ACT testing

Put the finishing touches on your essay. Be sure to proofread!

Try to wrap up applications before winter break. Photocopy all application materials before sending them in.

FAFSA and VSAC Applications should be filed in January.

Send standardized test scores to your colleges. It can be done electronically at collegeboard.com or by phone at 800-SAT-SCORE.

Early Decision and Early Action letters start arriving this month. Check with individual schools to confirm dates. Good luck!

Regular applicants: call admissions offices to set up interviews if needed.

Complete CSS Profile if you haven’t already done so.

Check in with your Counselor.

Collage Planning Senior Year Checklist 4

March

Early March registration deadline for April ACT www.act.org

SAT testing

AIMS make-up testing, Writing and Reading

Use spring break to visit colleges.

Keep your grades up. Study hard for exams. Colleges take senior grades seriously. Colleges will want a final transcript and expect to see a strong senior year. Any serious drop in grades or level of difficulty could result in your acceptance being rescinded.

February

Early February registration deadline for March SAT www.collegeboard.com

ACT testing

AIMS testing, Writing and Reading

Early February: Recommended FAFSA deadline.

Contact colleges to confirm they’ve received all your application materials.

Keep your grades up.

Continue the scholarship search. Check out fastweb.com and finaid.org for ideas.

Check in with your Counselor.

Collage Planning Senior Year Checklist 5

May

Early May registration deadline for June SAT www.collegeboard.com

Early May registration deadline for June ACT www.act.org

SAT testing

AP Exams are administered. Be sure to send the AP Grade Report to your college.

Deadline for notifying colleges of your decision.

Send thank-you notes to your teachers, coaches, TA, and anyone else who helped you on the way.

Fill out housing-preference forms, and check out any special living centers.

Wait-listed students can expect more information about their status after May 1.

May Graduation…Congratulations!

April

Early April registration deadline for May SAT www.collegeboard.com

ACT testing

AIMS testing: Science and Math

Stanford 10 testing

Regular Decision admissions letters begin to arrive.

Discuss the financial aid package provided by each school with your family. If you haven’t received financial aid packages by early April call to make sure all necessary materials arrived.

Attend admitted students’ weekends at college campuses.

Use school break for any additional campus visits.

If you are on a wait list set up a meeting with your counselor to discuss options.

Celebrate with family and friends!

Send in the acceptance notice to your chosen school. Make sure to send in your deposit.

Decline offers of admission from remaining colleges.

Collage Planning Senior Year Checklist 6

June

Complete Graduation Survey on Family Connection.

If you plan to compete in Division I or Division II college sports, have your transcript sent to the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse. More information is available at ncaaclearinghouse.net.

June Graduation…. Congratulations!

Late June: Final deadline to submit FAFSA.

July

Contact future roommates.

Start browsing through the course catalog and student handbook. See if students at your school are on thefacebook.com.

Go online and gather more information on your school. Get a jump on tickets for concerts, games and other events that are coming to campus.

August

Go back-to-school shopping, and don’t forget dorm essentials.

Open a new bank account.

Sign up for a cell-phone plan with free long-distance minutes.

Investigate health-insurance options.

Begin choosing classes.

Start packing!